Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, left, is trapped with the ball by Golden State Warriors guard Kelenna Azubuike, front right, and forward Al Harrington in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, left, is trapped with the...

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Denver Nuggets forward Nene, right, of Brazil, dunks the ball for a basket over Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins, of Latvia, in the third quarter of the Nuggets' 123-111 victory in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Jackson reacts after being called for a technical foul in the third quarter of the Denver Nuggets' 123-111 victory in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Golden State received devastating news Monday when it learned that guard Baron Davis' ailing left knee will require arthroscopic surgery. Davis is scheduled to undergo the procedure at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles today, after which a timetable for his return will be established.

"It's a little bit of a kick in the teeth," coach Don Nelson said before his depleted squad dropped a 123-111 decision to the Nuggets. "But we have to take care of business first and get him taken care of and see what that's all about."

Davis' surgery to clean out debris from the knee comes just as the Warriors were looking to get guard Jason Richardson (broken hand) back from a two-month injury layoff.

Now the Warriors are down their top two scorers from last season, with little hope of having all their new pieces together for a much talked-about post-All-Star-break run.

"It's very disappointing because we just wanted to see what this team could do at full strength, and now we've got another setback," said forward Al Harrington, who bounced back from Sunday's blow to the head to lead the Warriors with 24 points.

"I don't know, I guess it's just not meant to be right now. We just got to figure it out and fight to get through this season and try to finish off the best way we can for next year."

That's a sobering thought for a team heading toward the draft lottery for the 13th straight season. The Warriors (24-29) are tied with Sacramento for 11th place in the Western Conference -- 11/2 games out of the final playoff spot -- and don't figure to move up the standings without their franchise player.

Davis was leading the team with 20.7 points and 8.7 assists per game, but missed the last five outings after his knee began swelling following the Warriors' 98-90 loss at Charlotte on Feb. 3. He had an MRI exam upon returning from the road trip and was in Los Angeles on Friday for a second opinion with Dr. Stephen Lombardo.

Lombardo, who repaired torn cartilage in Davis' left knee in 2003, will perform today's surgery.

Ex-Warriors guard Nick Van Exel underwent a similar surgery to remove particulate in October 2003 and missed two weeks, including the first three games of the regular season. Van Exel, however, later said he came back too early and was shut down Feb. 28 because of swelling in the knee.

How was Davis feeling about his latest injury?

"Disappointed," said Matt Barnes, who spoke to Davis on Monday. "Baron wants to win and we're not winning right now and he can't help us because he's hurt.

"I just think it's something he feels he needs to take care of right now. If Baron can play, Baron would be out there. That's one thing about him."

Unfortunately, Davis' injury history is another given. The guard hasn't played in more than 67 games for the past four seasons due to various ailments. He was sidelined for the final month last season with a sprained right ankle.

Though Davis reported to training camp about 10 to 15 pounds lighter and visibly leaner than last season, he still wasn't able to outrun the Warriors' injury bug in the end. Golden State fell to 4-6 without him this season. The Warriors are a season-worst five games under .500.

Nelson said to expect a simplified offense based on screen and rolls while Davis is out, with Monta Ellis assuming the starting point-guard duties. Ellis had 14 points, one assist and four turnovers against the Nuggets.

Even with the Warriors down to four backcourt players in Ellis, Kelenna Azubuike, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Stephen Jackson, the coach said there were no immediate plans to sign somebody to a 10-day contract.

"We've just got to hold the ship down like we've been doing all season," Barnes said. "Hopefully, God will bless us and let us all stay healthy and play together for once. You can't doubt God, but man, it makes you wonder sometimes."